White vinegar is distilled vinegar that is made up of acetic acid and water.
White vinegar typically contains a low volume of acetic acid (4-8%) and a high volume of water. However, some types of white vinegar contain more than 8% acetic acid, but these are used for other purposes, not for human consumption because the high volume of acid is harmful to human health.
Apart from water and acetic acids, other chemicals like esters are added to white vinegar to flavor it.
White vinegar contains minerals and vitamins, and therefore it is beneficial to human health.
White vinegar has many kitchen-related, laundry-related, and health-related uses.
Some of the popular uses of white vinegar are discussed below;
1. To control blood sugar.
People suffering from diabetes can ingest white vinegar to control it. Due to its acetic acid content, white vinegar can be used to reduce blood sugar and insulin levels. This helps in controlling the occurrence of symptoms associated with blood sugar.
2. Used in baking.
White vinegar can be used in baking as a leavening agent due to its acetic acid content. When acetic and baking soda is used together in baking, they result in the leavening of dough. This is because the acidic present in white vinegar and the alkaline present in the baking soda react hence producing carbon dioxide gas that is responsible for the rise of the dough.
3. Used in controlling weeds.
White vinegar can be used to kill unwanted weeds. It can be mixed with other herbicides, and the mixture is sprayed on crops. However, it can affect the crop when sprayed to a garden that contains both crops and weeds. Therefore, it is advisable to be used in a garden with no crops to avoid damage.
4. Used to prepare beverages.
Vinegar and other ingredient are used to make a beverage. A good example of a beverage made of vinegar is known as oxymel, is usually made by adding vinegar and honey to hot water.
Another beverage that is made of vinegar is known as shrubs, made by adding fruity vinegar to sugary water.
5. Used in cheese-making.
During the process of making cheese, white vinegar can be used. The acidic nature of white vinegar plays an important role when added to milk making the cheese. The acetic acid present in white vinegar helps in separating whey and curds. This results in a better and soft cheese as compared to when vinegar is not used.
6. Used in boiling eggs.
Boiling eggs in a mixture of water and white vinegar solution is safer and better. This is because white vinegar introduces acidity to water. The acidity makes eggs more firm hence preventing the cracking of eggs during the boiling process.
Also, white vinegar as an impurity to water increases the boiling point; therefore, eggs are ready after a short duration of time.
7. Used in making a marinade.
A marinade is a seasoned (a mixture of oils, and herbs among others) often acidic mixture in which meat or fish is dipped first before cooking.
White vinegar can make a good marinade due to its acidic nature. White vinegar is combined with other ingredients that can be used as a marinade.
8. Used as a homemade facial toner.
White vinegar is used in bathing due to its numerous advantages to the skin.
As a result of its antimicrobial property, white vinegar is used in bathing to treat physical ailments and treat skin infections. It also protects the skin from infections, causing disease.
9. Used as a deodorizer.
A deodorizer is a substance used to mask a bad smell. White vinegar is best known for its antibacterial property and, therefore, can be used as a deodorizer. White vinegar mixed with Epsom salt can be used to reduce and eliminate the smell-causing bacteria. For example, a white vinegar solution can be used to control the bacteria, causing a bad smell on the feet. Feet are dipped into this solution for some minutes hence killing the bacteria causing the bad smell.
10. Washing clothes.
White vinegar has numerous laundry-related uses. The vinegar is added to the washing water, and it serves various functions in clothes. Firstly, it introduces a sweet smell to clothes and helps in removing a stain. Lastly, soaking white clothes in water containing white vinegar helps to bring back the whiteness.
11. Cleaning kitchen utensils.
Utensils containing stains can be washed using white vinegar. It is cheap to get, and therefore it is used by many people. Dishes, plates, and other utensils washed using vinegar look sparkling clean.
12. Used to reduce weight loss.
Ingesting white vinegar helps to control the rate at which food is wasted from the body. Also, vinegar helps to reduce the intake of calories in the body. Therefore, it ensures fullness hence reducing weight loss.
13. Used to clean toothbrushes.
Due to the antibacterial property of vinegar, it is used as a homemade toothbrush cleaner. A toothbrush is soaked in a white vinegar solution and left for some hours. After some hours, the toothbrush is free from bacteria.
Also, the vinegar solution can be used to clean teeth. It helps in removing teeth stains and promoting the whitening of teeth. This is possible because of the acidic nature of vinegar.
14. Relieving sore throat.
Symptoms of sore throat caused by bacteria can be alleviated by taking vinegar. The fact that white vinegar is antibacterial in nature makes it be used to relieve a sore throat.
15. Cleaning discolored tiles.
Stained or discolored tiles can be washed using white vinegar so as to retain their original color. The acetic acid contained in the white vinegar helps in removing stains and whitening tiles.
White vinegar is cheaper compared to other bleaching agents that are used to perform the same purpose as vinegar.
16. Making salads.
As a flavor, white vinegar can be included as one of the ingredients for making a salad. However, only a small amount of white vinegar solution can be added to a salad.
17. Preparing soups.
Helps to improve the flavor of the soup, white vinegar is added. Therefore, in preparing soup, white vinegar is used as a flavor.
